Rules and Procedures for Miss Kalmbach’s 7th Grade Science Class
Classroom Goals
The goal of this class is to further your knowledge of the nature of the
world so you are able to use this knowledge to become a life-long
learner and responsible global citizen. You must work hard
independently, but will also have to work effectively with other
students and me, just like you would in a sport.
Guidelines for Success: ROAR
Responsible
On time, on task
Always follow directions
Respectful
Classroom Rules
1. Be respectful (to me, your peers, and yourself)
2. Be prepared (with supplies and homework)
3. Give your best effort (show up on time to class every day you are
not sick and work to the best of your ability)
Activities
There are many different activities we will engage in throughout the
week and you are expected to behave appropriately during each one.
Examples include: large group (teacher-directed), partner work, group
work, independent work, science lab, and computer lab.
Grades
This year in my class we are using a different grading program.
Formative grades will still be worth 50% for on-level and 40% for
honors and summative will be 50% for on-level and 60% for honors.
Instead of assigning grades 0-100, grading will be done on a 5 point
scale. This is done so that grades below 60 do not have as big of an
impact on your overall average. This should improve student averages.
The scale is below:
100=5
90=4
80=3
70=2
60=1
<60=point value of that grade. (i.e. 50=0.5, 37=0.37)
For example:
94=4.4
88=3.8
72=2.2
65=1.5
48=.48
0=0
Say a student had the above grades. His normal average would be 61.
His point scale grade would be 2.1 which is equal to a 71.
Note: The gradebook will not average a point scale correctly. In order
to get it to average correctly, I must input the following grades:
Anything 60 and above will have the actual value put in. Anything
below 60 will be put in as follows: A 38 will go in the gradebook as a
53.8. A 59 would be a 55.9. (Note how you can still see the actual
grade on the assignment.) A zero will appear as a 50 in the gradebook.
Please remember that a zero is still not acceptable even though it
appears in the gradebook as a 50. If students are taking advantage of
this by not turning their work in, we will have to go back to a normal
grading scale.
The reason we are pioneering this grading scale at AMS is because
grades will be a better reflection of your actual learning. It is possible
that this won’t work out and we will have to go back to a normal
grading scale. You will be kept informed of any changes.
Classroom Procedures
Entering the classroom
1. When you enter the room, pick up any handouts by the door.
2. Turn in any homework you have before the bell rings.
3. Quietly begin working on your warm-ups.
4. If you need to borrow a pencil or other supplies, take care of it
before the bell rings.
5. You must be seated, with all handouts, homework turned in,
and working quietly on your warm-up when the bell rings.
Required supplies
Pencils, pencil sharpener or extra lead, colored pencils, hilighter,
scissors, double-sided tape or glue stick, notebook, notebook paper, and
a roll of paper towels. The paper towels will be left in the science
classroom. The other supplies are expected to be on hand every day.
Students will only use pencil in science class. Pen is not allowed.
Daily assignments
The objective, agenda for the day, and homework will be written
on the board daily. You are expected to fill out your agenda with that
information as soon as you have finished your warm-up.
Turning in homework
Homework will be turned into the trays in the far corner of the
room. There is a tray for each period as well as a tray for late work. If
you lost a handout you are expected to print one from the 7th grade
science website.
Finding out grade status
You will be expected to track your grades online. If you wish to
talk to me about your grade, you must make an appointment with me to
do so.
Getting out of your seat
Students are expected to remain in their seat at all times during a
large group setting. The classroom is divided into 4 zones and each
zone will have a trash can, tissue box, stapler, etc. You must remain in
your zone unless you are coming to see me.
Student responsibilities after an absence
When you have been absent it is your responsibility to take care
of all missed work. Check in the tray for any handouts you missed and
ask another student what we did in class. You should only approach
me if the required handouts are not in the tray or you missed something
that necessitates coming in for tutoring (a lab, a quiz, etc.) You have
one day for each day absent to make up your work. When you have it
completed bring it to me to sign, then put it in the late work tray. If I
have not signed the assignment it will be treated as late work. Any
projects are to be turned in they day they are due even if you were
absent the day before or the day you get back if you were absent the
day it was due. This means that if you are absent on Tuesday when the
project was due, but I don’t see you again until Thursday, it is still due
Wednesday. You must make time to come by and bring me the project.
If you are in school for any part of the day a project is due, it is due that
day even if you leave early or come late.
Late, missing, or incomplete assignments
Work that is turned in late will receive a maximum grade of 2
(70%). Only work that is completed well will receive a 2. Students
have the opportunity to make up any daily assignment on which they
scored lower than a 2, however you may be required to come to
tutoring to complete the assignment and it must be done within a week
of the assignment being returned.
Communication procedures
I will regularly email updates to parents, so make sure the school
has your parents’ (or guardians’) updated email address. I will also
post assignments and announcements on my webpage and the 7th grade
science webpage. I will also call parents when needed for academic or
behavior problems and praise.
Test corrections
Any student who scores below a 2.5 (75%) has the opportunity to
retake the test and score up to a 2.5 As soon as the test has been
handed back, you will receive a schedule of reteach sessions and retest
sessions. You must attend at least one reteach session before you may
retest. If you miss all of the reteach sessions you will not be allowed to
retest. Also, you may retest ONLY if all work for that unit has been
turned in.
Eating and drinking
No gum chewing is allowed in class
No food is allowed in class
No drink other than water is allowed in class
If you are asked to put your water away, do so without complaint
Ending class
Students are expected to remain attentive with their supplies on
their desks until they are told to pack up. Even if you know the bell is
about to ring, you are expected to continue to pay attention. Once the
bell has rung, you will remain in your seat until I dismiss you. No one
will be dismissed until all of my supplies are put away. Before the last
class of the day leaves, all chairs must be put up on the desks.
Consequences for Classroom Rule Violations
If you violate a rule, you may be assigned a consequence. Depending
on the frequency and severity of the misbehavior, you may receive one
or more of the following consequences:
-a mark (3 marks in one day will earn a teacher detention, each
mark after that will earn another teacher detention ; 7 marks in
one week will also earn a teacher detention)
-parental contact
-change in seating assignment
-private conference (either during class or before school)
-teacher detention
-office referral
If you ever feel that the enforcing of rules and consequences is unfair,
you have the right to make an appointment to discuss the situation. I
will be as neutral as I can in hearing your complaints or comments.
This is not an exhaustive list of the rules and procedures. Miss
Kalmbach will address anything else that comes up.
------------------------------------------------I have read and understand the rules and procedures for Miss
Kalmbach’s class.
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Printed Student Name
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Student Signature
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Date
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Parent Signature
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Date